The United States Congress has appropriated $700 million in emergency assistance to Jordan, the State Department announced. The purpose of the emergency funds is to help the Government of Jordan offset revenue shortfalls and new expenditures resulting from the conflict in Iraq, reported the Washington File.

The assistance is in addition to the $250 million in bilateral economic assistance already appropriated for Jordan for 2003. The war in Iraq resulted in revenue shortfalls and needs for new expenditures by the Government of Jordan. The US assistance will allow the Government of Jordan to continue to deliver basic services to the citizens of the Kingdom, such as education and healthcare, without interruption.

The $250 million appropriated in bilateral economic assistance for 2003 is being programmed under the auspices of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) into development activities, primarily in the economic growth, water and health sectors. Measured on a per capita basis, the US assistance program in Jordan is among the largest such programs in the world. — (menareport.com)